Surrounded by family and friends Friday Nipissing-Timiskaming MP Anthony Rota officially swore his oath of allegiance to the House of Commons in the Reading Room on Parliament Hill.
“This is a very special day,” he states.
“When we planned this event I thought maybe 2 or 3 people would come out and to see all of you here today … I am humbled.”
Rota also said he is honoured by the continued support he has received from the people of Nipissing-Timiskaming.
“And I am looking forward to working very hard on their behalf throughout the 40th session of Parliament.”
Rota also announced that he was invited to accompany the Minister of Veterans Affairs Greg Thompson, and a delegation of Canadian veterans, on a special pilgrimage to France and Belgium for a series of commemoration ceremonies throughout Remembrance Week.
“We will actually be attending a funeral service for a Canadian soldier that was recently discovered by a man using a metal detector.”
Rota heads off to France late Saturday following a marathon of meetings.
“This is a truly unique and special opportunity to participate in ceremonies marking the 90th Anniversary of the end of the First World War, on the very soil where so many Canadians made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.”
“As the Member of Parliament for Nipissing-Timiskaming, I am extremely proud to be honouring the sacrifice of more than 650,000 Canadians and Newfoundlanders who served our country during the First World War,” says Rota.
“Furthermore, this pilgrimage also serves as a tribute to all the brave men and women from Nipissing-Timiskaming, and throughout Canada, who have carried on the noble tradition, serving our country in times of war, military conflict, and peace.”